as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
we tend to spat over money more than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spat
Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
Their social media posts in favor of the H-1B visa program sparked the first big intra-MAGA spats of the second term.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Dec. 2024
Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for spat 
Noun
The statues of Assad and the posters of his face that adorned every public building lie on the ground, toppled, torn, spat and stomped upon, finally susceptible to his citizens’ loathing and contempt.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
Their social media posts in favor of the H-1B visa program sparked the first big intra-MAGA spats of the second term.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
The teenager first asked the hotel to forgive him, the lawsuit said, but soon flew into a rage, screaming that the hotel was antisemitic and that its employees spat in people’s food.
—Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
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Following the altercation, the woman’s mother stormed out of the room, leaving the family divided on who was right in the situation.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 Jan. 2025
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When an altercation erupted between a rioter and a Capitol Police officer, the document said, Roe — with the pitchfork in his right hand — moved forward and pushed the officer with his left hand.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The pair grow up frequently bickering with each other but begin dating in high school—only to end their relationship on bad terms when Seok Ji-won abruptly leaves town with his family.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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The sellers are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), bickering empty nesters saddled with financial woes and a dark secret.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The heads of corporate branding cook up a brief, a design firm answers with a litany of slides, and, after iterations, interventions, and internal quarrels, the sign arrives in the physical plane, with glossy acrylic letterforms and antiseptic light.—
Laura Preston,
The New Yorker,
15 July 2024
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The key is to keep communication clear and avoid overreacting to petty quarrels and misunderstandings.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Around that time, a few pioneering researchers argued that clinical decision-making should be grounded in the best available evidence.—
Aaron J. Masino,
The Conversation,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Fubo sued shortly after the announcement, arguing that Venu violated antitrust rules.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
City officials did not say what set off the dispute.—
Deon J. Hampton,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The Logan Square taproom, which Ravinia Brewing opened in 2021, was at the center of its trademark dispute with Ravinia Festival.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But TikTok has fought the law at every turn, arguing that the U.S. government is overstepping its bounds by attempting to regulate foreign ownership of a private company.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
9 Jan. 2025
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Part 3: Hunter Biden to fight felony firearm charges in Delaware trial Judgment Day: Why 2024 rematch won’t be any old sequel Election Day was less than six months away, and voters had a familiar choice of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While the legal battle is ongoing with the Swiss high court (and likely to be prolonged), Chiles reflected in November on the impact of the controversy.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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The controversy surrounding Emilia Perez comes in stark contrast to the positive reception of Wicked.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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After the match, Rhodes and Owens brawled on a production crate, leading to Rhodes spearing Owens through a table.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Several hours after members of Michigan and Ohio State's football team brawled over a flag-plant at midfield, a similar incident occurred in North Carolina.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
1 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to spat
Thesaurus Entries Near spat
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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